Remaining thyroid after partial removal

[mrneduc]

I had half my thyroid removed 8 weeks ago due to a cancer scare. My TSH went high within 6 days of the surgery and I commenced Levo. This surprised the surgeon who said levels sometimes dip at 6 weeks not 6 days. Does this mean my remaining thyroid tissue cannot recover or won't produce hormone due to taking Levo? I hadn't heard this before and had assumed it would work alongside the Levo.

[Nanaedake]

It's hard to understand what you're saying without seeing your blood test results. If you could post them here then people might be able to understand better.

[Clutter]

Mrneduc,

If you can post your TSH result and say how much Levothyroxine you are taking we can estimate whether you have any function in your remaining lobe.

Taking Levothyroxine does not shut down your natural thyroid function but recovery is unlikely.

[mrneduc]

Will do that as soon as I get latest results. Thank you

[Hidden]

It took 3-4 months for my remaining thyroid to start working properly after a partial. I am glad now that my doctor allowed me to suffer for it seemingly encouraged the remaining tissues to work. It gave me many more years of really good health without having to take the dreaded levothyroxine, until I had to have the remainder removed.

You should try your best to stop the levo if you feel up to the challenge as you could easily find that you do not actually need it IF your own remaining thyroid tissues can successfully work again. Perhaps you could suggest this to your doc and discuss this possibility.

[mrneduc]

On my list for the endo appointment. Never occurred to me that starting Levo could depress my remaining thyroid and no Dr said anything